Ekal Australia had yet another successful fundraising event on 15 March, when their three-hour Sunset Cruise saw more than 165 people aboard the Sydney Showboats under the banner of the Majestic Cruises. What was more significant was that during the cruise, four new schools were sponsored and this truly defines the statement that “Together we can do so much more than we can do alone”.
Ekal Vidyalaya is a people’s movement, and the growth of this initiative that was started in 1986 by a group of young enthusiastic educational entrepreneurs is only possible by the participation and commitment of the people towards this noble cause. Ekal Vidyalayas are single-teacher schools in rural and tribal India and the sole purpose is imparting education and promoting social empowerment.
Education has the apparatus and gears to make life-changing possibilities available to children from the remotest parts of India. It can help open borders and overcome barriers of social inequality and subjugation, instilling in an individual elements of self-confidence and self-worth. The educational revolution is always an ongoing one – there is always scope for more to come. Ekal Australia is slowly edging towards its dream target of the sponsorship of 1000 schools by the end of 2015. The organisation is very close to its lakshya, thanks to the altruistic sponsors and other philanthropic members of the Indo-Australian community.
This whole experience was a novel one as this is the first time that a cruise has been organised by Ekal. There was live music showcasing some of the best talents in Sydney. This included SaleemZamaan, the man with the golden voice, the very melodious Shailaja Chandra and GulHora, the talented youngster who at a very young age carved a niche for himself. The food served was delectable and the views of the Harbour, beautiful. Though the evening started with a slight shower, the sun emerged as the cruise began and the setting sun was indeed a feast for the eyes. A very fitting finale ……
“What you do makes a difference and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make” — Jane Goodall.
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